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Cornwall Council and its partners have welcomed another drop in the number of rough sleepers recorded on Cornwall’s streets.

The latest figures, released this week, suggest a co-ordinated action plan to tackle the issue is continuing to have a positive effect, with a 22% drop in the latest count.

This makes a 46% reduction in the total number of rough sleepers recorded since November 2016.

Official figures show that whilst Cornwall still has a relatively high numbers of rough sleepers, 53 individuals were reported as rough sleeping compared to 68 reported in November 2017 and 99 the year prior to that.

The figures come from the annual estimate on the number of rough sleepers in Cornwall counted on a typical night in November 2018, and follow published guidance from the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All local authorities undertake an estimate or a count at this time of year.

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes Andrew Mitchell said: “Through the Council’s Rough Sleeper Reduction Strategy and the MHCLG-funded Rough Sleeper Initiative, the Council has worked with its partners to introduce new support services and it is evident that this is making a continued impact in keeping people off the streets.

“The excellent partnerships that work with rough sleepers need to keep the momentum going as we are still committed to ensuring that no one is forced to sleep rough in Cornwall and we continue to work to make that goal a reality.”

In July 2017, the Council launched a £1.1 million approach to preventing and reducing rough sleeping with £850,000 coming from Cornwall Housing and £292,000 from a successful bid to the previously named Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for Nos Da Kernow (No First Night Out). In July 2018, MHCLG awarded the Council £437,489, with a further provisional award of £625,009 for 2019/20.

The principle behind the strategy is to step in early to help those threatened with having to sleep rough as well as improving greater access to transitional housing and support services.

The multi-agency rough sleeper reduction strategy works to:

prevent rough sleeping in the first place by helping those most at risk

help new rough sleepers quickly access housing, help and support

identify and provide support for entrenched rough sleepers to help them off the streets permanently.

Councillor Mitchell said: “We need to remember just how quickly someone can find themselves faced with the prospect of sleeping rough, and sadly, the continuing impacts of welfare reform mean that more people are at risk of finding themselves in that predicament.

“We are managing to get in early to help people who are in desperate need of accommodation and support and place them on a path that will not involve worrying about their safety at night because they are forced to sleep rough.”

New initiatives introduced this year include additional Assertive Outreach Workers and Cold Weather Provision in Penzance, both delivered in partnership with St Petroc’s and 6 additional crisis beds, delivered in partnership with Coastline Housing.

“The reasons why people become homeless is very complicated and the longer someone remains on the street, the more difficult it can be to move them back into settled accommodation. The strong focus on prevention and early intervention through effective partnership working is key. There is no sole service or agency responsible for addressing rough sleeping and multi-agency approaches prove to be the most effective means of tackling rough sleeping,” Councillor Mitchell said.

There is also specialist support for existing rough sleepers, many of whom have complex needs and housing histories, to help them to move away from the streets permanently. The Cornwall Rough Sleeper Operational Group (CRSOG) which includes Cornwall Council, Cornwall Housing Ltd, Coastline Housing, Voluntary Sector Providers, Safer Cornwall, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Devon & Cornwall Police, Public Health (including Mental Health Services) and Inclusion Cornwall work together to help and support individuals with complex needs and develop joint solutions for them.

Steve Ellis, CEO at St Petroc’s, said: “We are really pleased the partnership is reducing the numbers. We all acknowledge we still have much work to do, but are totally committed to ending rough sleeping in Cornwall.

“All partners will continue to work diligently together to meet this aim.”

Allister Young, CEO at Coastline Housing, said: “Partnership working in Cornwall is having a positive impact but there remains much more to do.

“The dual approach of the additional 6 beds is reaching those already in crisis, whilst the Nos Da Kernow project is working hard to prevent homelessness by stopping anyone having to spend that terrible first night on the streets

“It is critical that we continue to work together to improve lives and reduce homelessness in Cornwall.”

Four out of five people in Cornwall think recycling household rubbish is very important according to the results of a survey published today by Cornwall Council.

Last December Cornwall Council conducted a survey to better understand what people think about recycling, their attitudes to food waste and what would help people to recycle more.

The survey saw 4,404 responses from across Cornwall and from a mix of housing types. The survey was complemented by three focus groups which explored key issues more deeply.

Of those who responded:

91% think it is very important that Cornwall’s environment is protected

82% think recycling household rubbish is very important

77% think that household recycling is fairly or very convenient

Only 3% of respondents said they did not recycle

One in five households throw away ‘quite a lot’ or ‘a reasonable amount’ of food waste

71% said a collection of a wider range of materials would encourage an increase in recycling

One in five people (21%) said they would consider being a volunteer recycling champion for the Council.

Being unable to store the recycling between collections was one of the most cited reasons for not recycling.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Environment & Public Protection Sue James said: “Public feedback is important – one of our values is to listen to residents and we really wanted to know what people thought. The survey results suggest people want to recycle and will do it if it is easy but one size does not fit all. It was clear barriers to recycling included storage, access to collection points and confusion over what can be recycled.

“This survey has provided us with lots of insight – it supports that people will recycle more if it is easy, that people want to know what happens to materials collected and we need to provide more information on what can and can’t be recycled.”

Results from the survey will now help shape future education and awareness campaigns, as well as be included in the tender documents when the 2020 waste contract is issued.

Councillor James said the feedback had also helped shaped the Council’s proposed Resources & Waste Strategy, which has been published for consultation to seek residents views on the way the Council proposes to deal with waste.

“How we deal with our materials, waste and resources now and in the future is one of the biggest challenges we face. Over the past few years we have seen some reduction in waste generated and some improvement in the amount of waste that is recycled in Cornwall, but we need to do much more.

“This strategy sets out our plan to work with the community to better manage household materials, waste and resources. It’s important that everyone in Cornwall makes an active contribution to reducing the amount of waste we create, and to reusing and recycling more, which is why we are keen to hear people’s feedback on our approach, especially as we had such as strong response to the last survey.

“Our proposed strategy is titled ‘It’s in our hands’ because the management of waste starts with each of us. Only when we all work together, can we make a real difference for Cornwall and its unique and special environment.”

Recent figures released by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show that Cornwall has reduced fuel poverty by over 5,000 homes in a year.

On a visit to Cornwall by Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth Claire Perry visited Cornwall today (Friday 20 July) to learn about Cornwall’s Winter Wellbeing Partnership work in reducing fuel poverty levels.

By 2030 Cornwall Council’s ambition is to remove a further 22,000 homes from fuel poverty.

Led by Cornwall Council working with a range of partners, the programme is making a real difference to people’s lives.

Claire Perry met residents who have benefited from the Warm and Well Cornwall programme which helps residents who are suffering from ill health and living in a cold and damp home to have first time central heating installed and insulation improvements.

Cornwall Council and social landlords have match funded £3.5million investment from the National Grid’s Warm Homes Fund.

Cornwall Council’s 2015 Devolution Deal was a key factor in unlocking funding to find better ways of working to help people who would not traditionally have received help under previous funded programmes.

The visit to Cornwall also featured a briefing on the Winter Wellbeing partnership, made up of over 30 organisations, to address fuel poverty.

Each winter the partners provide residents with help from emergency heating funds, advice on better insulation, switching tariffs, providing first time central heating systems and support to find employment.

The Winter Wellbeing partnership launched in 2010 and has helped 7,400 homes and prevented 818 hospital admissions. In the last year alone NHS saved £61,000 based on 63 hospital admissions prevented – every £1 Winter Wellness investment saved the NHS £3.15.

In 2017 Cornwall Council’s Wellbeing and Public Health team was funded by BEIS to work in partnership with Citizen’s Advice to develop two toolkits which would help local authorities and health services to tackle fuel poverty across England.

This week, following the success of the Energy Price Cap Bill through Parliament, the Government also announced that its flagship energy efficiency scheme will be 100% focused on helping improve over 1 million low income and vulnerable households by 2022. The cap, which will protect millions of households from unjustified price rises and poor value deals on their energy bills, coupled with the £6 billion energy efficiency scheme will help build an energy market that puts consumers at its heart and ensures that those most at risk of fuel poverty are protected.

Cornwall Council Leader Adam Paynter said: “Cornwall has been leading the way in tackling fuel poverty, and our programmes are held in high esteem nationally. They are providing real solutions to real people and making a difference to everyday lives. A warm and well home is a key foundation to people’s wellbeing and we’re proud to be contributing to reduced hospital admissions in the process.”

Claire Perry Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth said “Yesterday’s changes to the flagship ECO scheme will increase the proportion of the scheme that can be delivered with local authorities up to 25%. Combined with the scheme’s new innovation requirement, this will help Cornwall Council to work with Sarah Newton MP to give Cornish residents the ability to live warm and well.”

Sarah Newton, MP for Truro and Falmouth said: “Ensuring local people live in warm homes is a top priority for me, that’s why I’m thrilled that Cornwall is leading the way in tackling fuel poverty. I have been part of the Winter Wellbeing Partnership work and Warm and Well Cornwall programme for some time and am pleased with the progress we are making. Today we’ve seen first-hand that installing the right heating and insulation can make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of residents. The Government is committed to ending fuel poverty and I am delighted that yesterday’s announcements will enable the Partnership in Cornwall to enable many more people live in warm homes”.

John Pettigrew, Chief Executive of National Grid said: “The aim of our fund is threefold; to help to reduce bills, make fuel poor households warmer, and improve the health of people suffering the most severe levels of fuel poverty. “Around 4.5 million households across the country are in fuel poverty with people not able to heat their homes enough to stay warm and healthy. Many are struggling on low incomes and are relying on heating systems that are expensive to run or don’t heat their homes properly. In many cases, because of their circumstances or the type of property they live in, they can’t apply for existing grant schemes.”

“National Grid is making this significant voluntary contribution of £150m and has established the Warm Homes Fund in recognition of the challenges that people face living in cold, damp and energy inefficient homes.”

Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director Affordable Warmth Solutions added: “Solving the issues associated with Fuel Poverty continues to challenge many of our stakeholders and we are delighted to see the minister visit this exciting initiative and showing her support for the Warm and Well Programme that with our support is already making a difference to the lives of residents of Cornwall.”

Spending a night under the stars may seem like a good idea during the summer, but a group of community workers got a glimpse of the grim reality of homelessness at a special event in St Austell last night.

Officers from the Safer St Austell team spent the night at White River Place protected only by sleeping bags and cardboard.

The event was organised to highlight the issue of homelessness, as well as to help promote the local support services available and to demonstrate how well individuals are supported within St Austell.

The group, which included representatives from Addaction, Cosgarne Hall, SAHA Freshstart, Cornwall Council’s Community Safety, Localism and Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Mayor Gary King, Deputy Mayor Tim Styles and Cornwall Councillor James Mustoe slept out between 10pm and 6am, enduring a long damp night.

Helen Catherall, Addaction worker, said: “Homelessness is a sign. It tells us that there has been a crisis or that there is an underlying issue. Ironically, homelessness is barrier to accessing support when it’s needed the most. This is why it is so important to report rough sleeping to Streetlink either via their online reporting system or by telephoning Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 to ensure support is offered.”

Gareth Bray, Chairman of Cosgarne Hall Board of Trustees, said: “St Austell has a long history supporting those who are homeless going back to the 1800s and we are pleased to be involved with the sleep out to continue to raise awareness around support services. We want to highlight that although we are raising awareness through this event those who have attended had a choice to sleep out whereas those who are homeless do not have this choice.”

Sue James, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and public protection, said: “Homelessness is an issue we are determined to tackle, and events such as this help raise awareness of the problem.

“It is vital we do all we can to encourage people to contact Streetlink if you see anyone sleeping on the streets. The sooner we are informed, the quicker we can offer the support that these vulnerable people need.”

This week Homes for Cornwall partners gathered at a new 100% affordable housing development in St Breward to officially celebrate the new homes and welcome new residents. The St Breward development called Moorland Fields and Chyryn Drive provides 21 new homes for local people, ranging from one to four bedrooms. 11 are for rent and 10 for shared ownership.

The homes at St Breward go a long way to help local housing need by providing 100% affordable housing in a picturesque village where demand has been high for several years.

The development is part of “Homes for Cornwall” launched in 2014. The initiative brings together leading south west housing provider LiveWest, Cornwall Council and leading regeneration business Galliford Try Partnerships to deliver homes on Cornwall Council-owned sites across the Duchy.

The Homes for Cornwall initiative is set to see the delivery of 356 new homes over the partnership and the St Breward site is the 5th new development in Cornwall.

Naomi Bailey who, with her family, recently moved into a four bedroom home for affordable rent on the new development said: “We’re delighted that we have been able to stay in the village. We need four bedrooms and this house is ideal. We’re all really excited. We’ve made it our home and we’re really happy with it.”

Gareth Jones, Development Director of Affordable Housing at LiveWest said: “We know there are lots of families who need a home in the village to be close to their relatives and friends. Average house prices in rural areas are roughly £6,500 higher than in urban areas and incomes in rural areas are lower.”

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has provided £286,000 funding for the scheme supporting much needed affordable housing for people from St Breward.

Versha Koria, Affordable Housing Senior Specialist for Homes England said: “Homes England is happy to support this development with affordable housing grant. It is a great example of what partnership working can deliver in a rural location.”

Andrew Mitchell, Cornwall Council Cabinet portfolio holder for Homes said: “Building the right kind of housing in the right place is a key commitment for this Council. Developments like this provide local people with high quality homes in a location they want. This development in St Breward is a great example of the Council working with other organisations to reduce our housing pressure and ensure families live comfortably in good quality affordable accommodation, which is one of the commitments we made to the people of Cornwall.”

Andrew Johnston, Managing Director for Galliford Try Partnerships commented; “It is fantastic to hear such positive feedback from the residents and local community. We are delighted with the scheme, transforming a challenging landscape into quality new homes for local people. St.Breward is a stunning new development and one that all Homes for Cornwall Partners can be truly proud of.”

Veronica Stansfield from St Breward Parish Council said: “We’ve got 21 properties for affordable rent or for shared ownership and the Parish Council are delighted. All the properties have gone to very local people so these are people living in their own community. These aren’t houses – these are homes.”

Dominic Fairman, Cornwall Councillor for St Breward and St Teath said: “To see all these local families moved in and contributing to the local shop and the local school is good news for St Breward.”

The construction of the new homes was captured by well-known Cornish Artist, Chris Thomas, who worked in a small studio next door. He saw the building site in St Breward near Bodmin as a thing of “beauty and movement”. Chris, who has lived In Cornwall for 50 years and has enjoyed painting its people and landscapes all his life was spellbound by what he describes as “A little piece of history” and decided to capture, on canvas, the creation of the 21 new affordable homes in the village.

Chris, who was working in his studio when construction began, approached Galliford Try Partnerships Site Manager, Colin Benny to ask permission to paint the homes as they were being built.

Galliford Try Partnerships built Chris his own viewing platform so he could be right at the centre of the action on site without being in danger.

Work has also started on a Homes for Cornwall development on the site of the former Cornwall Council offices at St Clare in Penzance with more homes in Penzance due to be built on the old Depot site.

Eight Cornwall Council owned sites were identified for potential housing developments as part of the Council's Housing Investment Plan and the Homes for Cornwall partnership has so far delivered 205 new homes. Releasing and building on Council-owned land both provides affordable housing (currently predicted to exceed 44% of the total number due to be built over the course of the programme) and funds which will be re-invested in more land for further development opportunities.

Around 20,000 homes were built last year in the South West, compared to the 42,000 homes the region needs annually. This dire housing shortage is leaving thousands of people unable to buy their own home or find a stable home in the private rented sector, and is even pushing people into homelessness.

The homes at St Breward provide much needed rural housing for local people. The scheme is a great example of where rural housing has made a difference to local people, these homes have supported families to stay in an area where they have lived and will be contributing to wider services such as local schools and shops.

The event this week was important to highlight how new housing can breathe life into rural communities. It also promotes how rural housebuilding can be key to the survival of vital community assets and services, such as schools, post offices and pubs.

Par Library will move to Par Running Track early next year as part of a new agreement with Par Track Limited to secure the future of a library service in the town.

The new micro library at the popular Moorland Road facility will remain part of Cornwall’s library service, so customers will be able to keep their existing library cards and will be able to visit, borrow and order books online from other libraries in Cornwall.

Offering around 1,600 books including fiction, non-fiction and junior texts, the library stock will be provided and managed by Cornwall Council.

The library will also provide a free ‘click and collect’ service so that visitors can access the library catalogue and reserve books online. Customers will also have access to free WiFi and computers.

The current library on Eastcliffe Road will close on Saturday 26 January and the new micro library at the running track will open on Monday 4 February. Customers will be able to return any books borrowed from the current library to the micro library. Anyone in Par using the Home Library Service, which is delivered by the Royal Voluntary Service, will be able to continue to access this service.

Like all local authorities throughout the UK, the Council has had some tough decisions to make when faced with substantial cuts in funding from central Government. Rather than close libraries, however, the Council has worked with town and parish councils and community groups throughout Cornwall to transfer ownership of these much-loved services to local communities, explained Councillor Edwina Hannaford, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods.

"The members of Par Track Limited are dedicated to their local community and securing access to facilities for their residents," she said. "The group's proactive approach has meant that residents can continue to visit a library in the town, as opposed to us potentially having to introduce a mobile library stop. I commend Par Track Ltd for the excellent service they are providing to their community.”

The new library will initially be open at the same times and on the same days as the current one. Par Track Ltd has plans, subject to the availability of funding, to create a new library space in the future, which they hope will allow them to provide a more comprehensive service and to extend the opening hours.

Crucial plans for a sustainable Cornwall will be up for discussion when the Cabinet meets next week at New County Hall.

The authority’s long-term capital investment plan, the purchase of homes to be used as emergency accommodation, changes to Cornwall’s waste collections, and a proposal to purchase and bring back into use a historic Penzance town centre building are all set to be debated.

Another paper due for discussion is the future funding of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry, which could see the first increase in crossing prices in almost a decade.

Prices on the bridge, which is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council, have not risen since 2010, and, under the terms of the Tamar Bridge Act, must be approved by the Secretary of State before they can implemented.

The money generated by the tolls is used for bridge maintenance, and to subsidise the cost of the Torpoint Ferry service, which is vital to the economy of south east Cornwall.

The cabinet will meet at the Trelawney Room in New County Hall on Tuesday, December 18 at 10am.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's newest recruits have completed their initial training and are ready to help protect their local communities.

The group - eight 'on call' firefighters and four Tri Service Safety Officers - were officially welcomed to the service following a 'passing out' parade at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's Headquarters in Tolvaddon, near Camborne.

As part of training the group followed a two week intensive course aimed at giving them a broad introduction to lifesaving skills including firefighting techniques, water safety, responding to road traffic collisions and first aid.

They will now develop their training with experienced colleagues at their respective stations across Cornwall, explained Area Manager Kath Billing from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS).

"Our new recruits have demonstrated they have what it takes to make a valuable contribution - not just to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, but to the local communities they will now serve," she said.

"It's important they continue to develop their skills and expertise with their colleagues on station - the colleagues who they will work with and will rely on when they are called to emergency incidents."

For the first time, Cornwall's initial firefighter training course has been extended to include new tri-service safety officers. Jointly funded by the three emergency services, eight new tri-service safety officers have been recruited to the service, forming part of a ten strong team serving Bude, Fowey/Polruan, Hayle, Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel, Perranporth, St Dennis, St Ives and St Just. Currently in their training and development phase, the new officers will officially take up their community roles in April 2019. Four of the new tri-service safety officers are already fully trained on call firefighters.

As part of their role, tri-service safety officers are qualified on call firefighters with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service; Emergency Medical Responders for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and are also trained by Devon and Cornwall Police in areas specific to safeguarding, complex problem solving tasks, challenging and dealing with anti-social behaviour and assisting local police neighbourhood teams. The officers also work in partnership with Safer Cornwall’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team.

"Firefighters - and our tri-service safety officers - have such an important role in their local community and I'm delighted to welcome the new recruits to our fire service family," said Councillor Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and public protection.

Businesses and residents across Cornwall are urged to take steps to help protect the star quality of our dark skies as part of a nationwide campaign to reduce light pollution.

The ‘Big Dipper’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of light pollution and urges people to help conserve our starry dark night sky so we can all contribute to protecting and enhancing our environment.

To see for yourself the beauty of the dark skies that some areas of Cornwall enjoy, come to a free event being organised by Caradon Observatory on 15 December at Siblyback reservoir between 7pm and 10pm. There will be a range of telescopes for visitors to look through and there is a really good chance that comet 46P/Wirtanen will be visible with the naked eye from dark sky sites like this one.

The event is one of a series showcasing the exceptional quality of the night sky over Bodmin Moor, which was designated as an International Dark Sky Landscape in 2017 after a successful bid by Cornwall Council and Caradon Observatory. Cornwall Council is supporting another bid for Dark Sky status in West Cornwall and the ‘Big Dipper’ campaign highlights how everyone can help protect our night skies.

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, Sue James said: “By taking a simple step to dip our lights we can reduce light pollution and retain the sense of wonder when we look up to the night sky.”

The Council has led the way with a ground breaking street lighting programme which not only helps safeguard our night skyscapes but has also saved over £26m in energy and maintenance costs; contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Cornwall Council Cabinet portfolio holder for transport, Geoff Brown, said: “Cornwall Council’s smart lighting system controls the amount of light scatter causing the sky glow. Given we live in such a beautiful part of the country where dark skies provide us with spectacular nightscapes, we made the decision to upgrade 53,000 street lights across the county with an energy efficient, white light system which is electronically controlled and cloud based. It was a ground breaking decision at the time and is still leading the way for other local authorities.

“Cornwall continues to be one of the leading Councils for managing its street lighting, in 2009 it introduced a programme to replace its stock with optical controlled lights, which dramatically changed the Cornish night sky from orange to black”

“To date this programme has saved Cornwall’s residents £26m in energy costs and maintenance, with these savings continuing to be delivered year on year as energy prices across the UK fluctuate.

“This translates to a reduction in carbon emissions of 5,500 tonnes of CO2 a year, and it means our night skies are darker with less light glow, which is good for star gazing.”

“This smart system means we can dim street lights in Cornwall at specific times, based on the road category and risk, which saves energy and reduces light pollution at the same time”

“ The Council continues to use the latest energy and light efficient equipment as the better LED technologies are introduced on new developments and via replacement programmes” adds Cllr Brown.

Residents can do their bit to support the Big Dipper campaign by making sure that outside lights, especially LED floodlights and security lights, are not too bright and are installed so that no light is directed up into the night sky.

The campaign is asking people to:

Ensure lights point down and are fully shielded.

Only illuminate areas you need to and don’t leave lights on all night – use a timer or motion sensor.

Use lighting that is no brighter than necessary.

If possible don’t use LEDs emitting bright white/blue light, but rather warmer colours, which is also better for nocturnal animals.

Sue James adds: “Poorly installed outside lighting can be detrimental to the quality of our dark skies. Many of the newer security lights being installed emit a very harsh blue-white light, which scatters further into the sky, blotting out our view of the stars. The impact is often made worse by the fact such units are angled outwards to increase the spread of light. A single, poorly installed floodlight can be seen for miles around. The night time environment is a crucial natural resource for people, wildlife and for the rural visitor economy which benefits from increasing public interest in astro-tourism.

There is increasing awareness of the impact that light pollution can have on wildlife, by interrupting natural rhythms. Light pollution can affect humans too, including disrupted sleep and an impact on the body's production of melatonin, a brain hormone best known for its daily role in resetting the body's biological clock.”

If it’s rainy or too cloudy the event on 15 December will be postponed. Caradon Observatory will post Facebook updates running up to the event.

Households across Cornwall could be provided with a weekly recycling collection and caddies to recycle their food waste in 2020 under proposals to be considered by Cornwall Council's Cabinet next week.

Cabinet members will also vote on whether or not to move to fortnightly residual waste collections and provide households with wheeled bins or seagull proof sacks during the meeting on Tuesday 18 December.

With Cornwall's kerbside waste and recycling contract with Biffa coming to an end in March 2020, the Cabinet decision will direct the next stage of the tender process currently underway.

Cabinet are being asked to decide between moving to a new system aimed at boosting recycling, or retaining the current collection arrangements.

The new system would switch recycling and residual collections so that recycling is collected weekly, with the addition of food waste.

Councillor Sue James, portfolio holder for environment and public protection, said the decision is an important one for Cornwall.

"Next Tuesday's decision is one that will affect all households across Cornwall," she said. "With the world focussed on the impact of waste on our environment, we have the opportunity to make a crucial decision about the way we manage waste in Cornwall that will affect generations to come.

“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and are incredibly proud of our environment. Many residents recycle but overall we could do more, and these changes will help facilitate that.

"A survey of black bag waste carried out last year showed that a third of the content was food waste.

"If the Cabinet approves a proposed change, that food waste would be collected weekly in special containers provided by the Council, and all other recycling would also be collected weekly. Other waste would be collected fortnightly.

“The Council would issue wheeled bins or seagull proof sacks to all households, putting an end to street litter generated by animals pulling apart bin bags on collection day.”

The recommendations to change the current waste contract have been considered by a special inquiry, led by the Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny committee.

The Council has also sought advice from industry experts and other local authorities, as well as having carried out resident surveys, focus groups and assessed national guidance.

If the changes are supported, no changes will be made until the contract comes in to place in April 2020.

“If the changes are supported there is still a lot of work to be done before the changes come into effect in 2020. We will be working with communities across Cornwall and will come and talk to you about the changes, explain what needs to happen and when.

In the meantime, residents can help by recycling more and composting where appropriate,” Cllr James said.

Residents of the Launceston area are invited to attend the December meeting of the Launceston Community Network Panel. Items on the agenda include Community Chest Celebration, Cornwall Council draft budget 2019/20, Community Network Highways Scheme, and Library Devolution.

The meeting takes place on Thursday 13 December 2018, between 6.30pm and 9pm, at The Guildhall, Launceston Town Hall.

Representatives from some of the groups which received Cornwall Councillor Community Chest awards last year will be in attendance. This is an opportunity to hear about the fantastic work of local groups and the projects they have delivered. In addition it is an opportunity to find out more about the Community Chest Grants available.

Also on the agenda is an opportunity to learn about and discuss the Council’s draft budget for 2019/20 and MTFP. This will be led by Cllr Adam Paynter.

With the need to reduce spending by another £70 million over the next four years with Government grant decreasing and demand for services increasing the Council has to find ways to be more efficient and balance the budget. The Council will have to be self-financing after 2022 with funds coming from Council tax, business rates and income from fees and charges. We will be asking people how they would spend the budget, how much they would increase Council tax by or how else they would raise additional money, and if they would support the principle of voluntary contributions.

The Community Network Panel will also consider priorities under the Community Network Highways Scheme.

The Launceston Community Network Panel meets every other month to discuss matters that affect the local community and to agree priorities that can be delivered by Cornwall Council and other agencies including the police and health services. Some of the areas that community networks focus on include anti-social behaviour, economic development, the environment, community planning, regeneration, conservation, community safety, and transport and highway issues.

Chair of the Panel, Councillor Neil Burden, said “The Launceston Community Network Panel meeting is a great opportunity for local residents and businesses to ask questions about local issues so please do come along and take part. We’ll have updates on library and health centre developments and highway projects; we’ll hear about the success of projects supported by members community chest awards and there will be the opportunity to hear from Council Leader Adam Paynter about the budget proposals. ”

Lostwithiel Library will transfer to Lostwithiel Town Council in early February in a new agreement with Cornwall Council.

The arrangement, which is part of Cornwall Council’s devolution programme, means the historic Taprell House building will continue to provide all the key services essential to a modern library.

Following the transfer Lostwithiel Library will remain part of the countywide service meaning customers will keep their existing library cards and will still be able to visit, borrow and order books online from other libraries in Cornwall.

Mayor of Lostwithiel Councillor Pam Jarrett, said: "Lostwithiel Town Council has ensured the continued provision of the Library Service in Lostwithiel not only for the residents of Lostwithiel but for all those residents in surrounding Parishes. By accepting the devolution of the delivery of the library service in Lostwithiel, the Town Council is reflecting the views of the majority of the local community who when responding to the Town Council’s consultation said they wanted the Town Council to run the service."

Deputy Mayor Tim Hughes, said: “Lostwithiel Town Council has worked hard with Cornwall Council to develop a unique model of keeping our community library open, while minimising costs for local Council taxpayers. We have retained a vital community asset which we intend to run with community volunteers.

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We have been working closely with town and parish councils and community groups to find the best custodians for local libraries through our Library Transformation Programme. Our aim has always been to work with partners and communities to create sustainable services aligned to local needs. As a result of our agreement with Lostwithiel Town Council, local residents will be able to continue enjoying their library for many years to come."

In preparation for the new arrangements, Lostwithiel Library will close for refurbishment from Monday 14 January and re-open week commencing 4 February. Customers will be able to borrow items for an extended loan period before the library closes.

Children in care living in Cornwall are celebrating their best ever outcomes so far with their SATs and A’ Level results and university places.

This past year has seen pupils achieving their best ever SATs results and the successes keep coming, with four young people getting the A’ Level results they needed which means they have now been able to go on to University. They join a growing number of over twenty young people now pursuing degree courses.

Councillor Sally Hawken, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Wellbeing said: “We are determined to help children in care to achieve their very best at school. Research from the Department for Education shows that educational attainment for looked after children is much lower than for non-looked after children but we are determined to disprove this.

“These young people may not have had the same advantages in their lives as children who are not in care but we can offer them the support they need at school to help them to achieve and have the successful and bright future that they deserve.”

In the new academic year (2018-2019) there are a higher percentage of year 12 and 13 pupils studying A’ Levels than in previous years, and the number of pupils engaged in education, employment and training this year is higher than previous years. Courses that students are studying range from philosophy to child care, to mechanics.

There is also positive news for children in care aged between 7 and 11 years who are likely to be significantly above the national level and, in 2018, have closed the gap between children who are not in care.

For children aged between 14 – 16 years outcomes have improved since the dip in 2017 and are now back on track with an overall trend of improvement since the establishment of the Virtual School in 2008.

Fixed term exclusions are down significantly and the number of unauthorised absences for children in care has dropped with an overall improvement in school attendance. The attendance rate for children in care in Cornwall is better than other children in care in the rest of the south west region.

To celebrate the results the team recently held two highly successful celebration events at The Alverton Manor. The younger children celebrated with a high tea, and the older children had a celebratory dinner with fairy lights, which some of the children described as ‘magical’.

The events were also attended by parents, carers, nurses, social workers as well as the Strategic Director of Children Schools & Families, Trevor Doughty and the Council’s Chief Executive Kate Kennally.

With the festive season almost upon us, Cornwall's residents are being reminded of changes to waste and recycling collections over the Christmas period.

As in previous years, there will be no waste and recycling collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Collections due on Christmas Day:

Rubbish due to be collected on Christmas Day will be collected on Tuesday 1 January.

Recycling due to be collected on Christmas Day will be collected on Saturday 22 December.

Garden waste due to be collected on Christmas Day will be collected on Saturday 22 December.

Collections due on Boxing Day:

Rubbish due to be collected on Boxing Day will be collected on Wednesday 2 January.

Recycling due to be collected on Boxing Day will be collected on Saturday 29 December.

Garden waste due to be collected on Boxing Day will be collected on Saturday 29 December.

For collections due on any other day of the week over the Christmas period, we will collect waste and recycling as usual, explained Councillor Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and public protection.

"It may be that the time of collection is earlier or later than usual, but as long as bins and/or recycling are out by 7am, our contractors Biffa will collect it," she said.

With the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, Household Waste Recycling Centres are open seven days a week between 9am and 4pm.

A multi-agency partnership approach in Penzance continues to tackle the separate issues of rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour, with Cornwall and Penzance Town Councils, police, Penzance BID and multiple partner agencies working closely together to respond to community concerns.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio holder Andrew Mitchell said rough sleeping in the town has been the focus of work for over 18 months through Cornwall Council’s Rough Sleeper Reduction Strategy which aims to prevent people from moving into rough sleeping. This has included work by the award-winning Nos Da Kernow programme, which works to prevent people from sleeping rough in the first place and has been acknowledged as good practice nationally.

“A range of organisations are undertaking daily outreach work for individuals with multiple complex needs who find it difficult to engage with services, as well as providing support to those who approach them for help. As well, additional bed spaces have been delivered at a cold weather provision hostel, additional outreach workers have been brought on board and work is being done with the private sector to improve access to rented accommodation,” Cllr Mitchell said.

This month, St Petroc’s have set up a pop-up shelter in Penzance with nine bed spaces. Funded through the Government’s Rough Sleeper Initiative, with some top-up funding from Cornwall Council, the shelter was identified as a need during the snow storms earlier this year and will provide extra accommodation for rough sleepers during severe winter weather.

Separately, Addaction are maintaining the additional provision of daily outreach sessions to vulnerable adults on the street, talking to local residents and businesses and safely disposing of any drugs litter found.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council’s anti-social behaviour team continue to work closely together to provide reassurance and enforcement to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Sergeant Gemma Freestone from Devon and Cornwall Police said the last three months have seen 87 high visibility patrols by Penzance’s Police Neighbourhood Team (out of 89 possible days), as well as patrols by response units and foot patrols by the Sector Inspector.

“Anti-social behaviour is being taken seriously. We have issued two dispersal notices under Section 35 of the Crime and Policing Act 2014, and one person has been arrested for an offence against the Public Order Act, with a hearing on 12 December.

“Twelve arrests have been made for offences ranging from criminal damage, to serious assault, breach of community behaviour orders, shoplifting, theft, drugs and burglary. We are also undertaking ongoing intelligence-led proactive work to address drug supply at a local level, and we’ve undertaken raids on licensed premises,” Sgt Freestone said.

To reduce local businesses selling alcohol to known street drinkers every off licence premises in Penzance has been visited by the police and reminded of the law in relation to selling to persons under the influence. Support is also being sought from businesses to implement voluntarily measures to reduce access to alcohol to street drinkers.

Penzance Town Mayor Councillor Dick Cliffe said the multi-agency response was making a difference: “I am aware of an acute shortage of resources generally for dealing with the problem of anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in Cornwall but Penzance has been made a priority during 2018.

“At the moment I am happy with progress but concerned about the poisonous hate speech and misrepresentations being made that conflate rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour as being the same issue. They are not, and they have very different responses in place.

“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and tough action is being taken in response. Rough sleepers require a different response to some very complex problems. In many cases, they are the victims of anti-social behaviour and don’t deserve to be demonized. Lots of good work is being done in this area with some very vulnerable individuals.”

A new community safety hub will open early in the New Year in Causeway Head to provide greater public access to talk to organisations about community safety issues and to report their concerns through a single access point. The hub is funded by Cornwall Council, Penzance Town Council and Penzance BID.

The Safer Penzance team will also be holding a public information day in January for people to come along and meet the various agencies and services to learn more about aspects of the ongoing work and discuss any concerns.

Local residents are being invited to discuss with Highways England the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross improvement scheme at an extra-ordinary St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Panel meeting.

Highways England is currently consulting on plans to create a high quality dual carriageway on the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross.

The St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Panel meeting takes place on Thursday 8 March from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Perranzabuloe Parish Rooms, Chyanhale, Ponsmere Valley, Perranporth, TR6 0DB.

It has been scheduled following a request at February’s Community Network Panel meeting to discuss the preferred route with Highways England before their consultation ends on 12 March.

Once completed, the new eight mile stretch of dual carriageway between Chiverton and Carland Cross will help to improve journey times for many residents, businesses and visitors, and unlock one of the last bottlenecks in Cornwall.

At this public meeting there will be the opportunity for both panel members and the public to ask Highways England questions.

Perranzabuloe Parish Councillor Ken Yeo, Chair of the St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Panel, said: “This network panel meeting is a great opportunity to hear from Highways England about creating a dual carriageway between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross on the A30. Please come along to understand more about the scheme and take part in the consultation before it closes on 12 March.”

Cllr Geoff Brown, Portfolio Holder for Transport at Cornwall Council added: “I welcome this further opportunity for Highways England to engage with local communities through the network panel meeting. We know from previous public engagement that there is strong support locally to improve this stretch of the A30 so I encourage people to come and discuss proposals with the Highways England design team.”

The St Agnes and Perranporth Community Network Panel meets quarterly to discuss matters that affect the local community and to agree priorities that can be delivered by Cornwall Council and other agencies including the police and health services.

Some of the areas that community networks focus on include anti-social behaviour, economic development, the environment, community planning, regeneration, conservation, community safety, transport and highway issues.

The panel comprises of all the Cornwall Councillors for the area and representatives of the six Parish Councils (Crantock, Cubert, Perranzabuloe, St Agnes, St Allen, St Newlyn East) in the community network area.

The Highways England Statutory Consultation is running until 12 March.

A plot of land in Newquay has been bought by Cornwall Council as part of its commitment to provide quality homes for local people.

The land in Newquay has been bought as part of the Council’s Housing Development Programme (HDP) which will see the local authority investing up to £200 million in directly building and providing 1,000 new homes by 2022 on sites across Cornwall – all for local households.

The site at Trevithick Farm, Trevemper, Newquay already has planning permission for up to 455 homes. The Council intends to build around 150 homes through its Housing Development Programme with the intention of starting on site in about two years’ time. It is envisaged that the remainder of the site will be developed by a housebuilder or Registered Provider, or provide an opportunity for the Council to build additional affordable, supported or extra care housing.

Homes are already being built by the Council as part of the Housing Development Programme on two pilot sites in Bodmin and Tolvaddon, which between them will see the delivery of 113 homes. Both sites will have properties to rent or to buy. Other sites in Launceston and Redruth are also in the process of being purchased and will be added to development sites in Liskeard and Torpoint which the Council already owns.

The developments will be a mix of homes for private market rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and private market ownership.

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for homes Andrew Mitchell said: “Cornwall needs more homes – both to rent and to buy – and the Council is seizing the initiative to provide those homes. For example, in Newquay there are more than 1,500 applicants on the Cornwall Homechoice register who have stated Newquay as their first preference. The proposed development in Newquay could eventually provide over 400 new homes which will go some way towards addressing that need.

This is about providing good quality healthy homes that local people want to live in, with space, gardens, parking and which are well designed with low energy costs.”

John Fitter, Cornwall Councillor for St Mawgan and Colan said: “I am very pleased that Cornwall Council is investing in the supply of housing stock for the community who are in need of homes and who live in and around the Newquay area. This will be a quality development embracing energy saving features which will reduce the cost of heating in the colder months and contribute to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the development. Colan Parish Council along with myself welcome this Cornwall Council project.”

The Council will deliver a mix of property sizes, types and tenures to meet local needs. Some will be for private rent, providing quality, choice and greater security for those in the private rented sector with five-year tenancies as standard. Some will be sold at market prices and others will be for affordable rent or shared ownership.

All the affordable and rental homes built as part of the Housing Development Programme will be allocated to households who have a local connection to Cornwall, either through residency, employment or close family connections.

As has happened with the pilot schemes in Bodmin and Tolvaddon, the Council will be working with the local community and taking on board their views when designing the homes and the environment around the neighbourhood.

Cornwall Council has voted to support the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum on Brexit after a vote at a meeting of the full council at New County Hall today (04 Dcember 2018)

Other issues discussed included second homes, the Stadium for Cornwall, and plans for a paperless council.

At the start of the meeting, tributes were paid to former member Bill Maddern, who died last month. Councillors from across the chamber shared their memories of Bill, and a minutes silence was held.

Mirroring current events in Westminster, one of the biggest debates on the agenda centred on the Government’s Brexit plans.

The motion called for support for a second referendum, as well as a commitment to retaining strong ties with Europe after Brexit, and a call to protect the rights of any EU citizens living in Cornwall.

A wide range of views were expressed during the debate, before the council voted by 47 votes to 41 to support the People’s Vote campaign.

Councillor Adam Paynter, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “The most important thing for me is to make sure that Cornwall is in a position to prosper whatever may happen in the months to come.

“Our New Frontiers plan will help build that stable and sustainable economy for Cornwall, and we are working to ensure we maintain our relationship with Europe so we can continue to see the benefits of close co-operation in the years ahead.”

A motion calling for holiday lets registered as businesses premises to face council tax bills, and for second homes and holiday homes to face increased bills was also debated.

The motion also called for neighbourhood plans to be given the ability to block ‘change of use’ planning applications trying to change current homes into second homes or holiday lets.

After a long debate and a show of hands, the council decided to vote on the motion as three separate elements.

The call for homes registered as small businesses to face council tax bills, and the call for holiday lets and second homes to face increased bills were both supported by the chamber.

However, the third element, which called for local plans to be given the ability to block current homes becoming holiday lets, failed to garner enough support.

A motion calling for the council leader to write to the Government calling for a public written statement on funding for the Stadium for Cornwall was debated.

After a long debate, members voted to support the motion, and a letter will now be sent to Downing Street calling for clarification on the Government’s position.

Councillor Julian German, portfolio holder for resources, said: “Cornwall Council has been categorical on this issue, we will not be putting our funding into this scheme until the Government has agreed to do so themselves.

“We need certainty to allow the project to move forwards, and I hope this decision will help provide that.”

A motion to create a paperless council by the next election of Cornwall Council was supported across the chamber.

It called for councillors to be able to opt out of receiving paper copies of council agendas in order to save printing and postage costs.

The motion was amended by Councillor Mike Eathorne Gibbons, portfolio holder for customers, who suggested the council should bring in an earlier deadline of April 2020 for the changes.

Cllr Eathorne Gibbons said: “This move will improve efficiency through the use of modern technology, and is the correct thing to do for the environment.

“We are not forcing those who still like paper agendas to give them up, but we will be making a significant step in the right direction.”

A motion calling for the cabinet to consider a review of the Council’s walking to school route assessments was also supported.

Recommendations from the cabinet to council on the Cabinet Programme for 2019/20, and the Minerals Safeguarding Development Plan were both accepted, as were a set of proposals from the Harbours Board.

A district judge has backed up the decision of Cornwall Council's Licensing Act Sub-Committee to revoke the premises licence of a Newquay nightclub.

The original decision was made on 25 April 2018, following a review of the licence for Eden Bar on Beach Road.

The committee acted after a review was instigated by Devon and Cornwall Police because of numerous breaches of licence conditions and violent incidents involving the premises licence holder.

The Committee considered other issues including registered door staff not wearing their security industry authority badges, not keeping an up to date incident book and allegations of underage drinking.

The Committee said that having considered the information and the licensing objectives, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, and protection of children from harm, they had no option but to revoke the licence in the interest of the wider community.

The licence holder objected to the decision, and an appeal was heard at the Bodmin Magistrates Court last week.

District Judge Diana Baker told the court she was entirely satisfied the Sub-Committee made the correct decision. The appeal was therefore refused on all grounds raised by the Appellant.

The Council were also awarded its full legal costs of £33,367 to be paid by Mr Memet Aldemir.

Councillor Jesse Foot, chairman of the Licensing Act Committee, said: "I am delighted that the court has backed our original decision, and especially that full costs have been awarded, so this case has no detrimental effect on the taxpayer."

"This case is a good example of effective partnership working with Devon and Cornwall Police to tackle issues that can have a real effect on people's lives."

"Happily, it does not reflect the majority of businesses in Cornwall who fulfil the conditions of their premises licences properly."

Work is due to begin this week on the second phase of Cornwall’s first transit stopping site for Gypsies and Travellers at South Treviddo near Liskeard.

Pitches will be provided to accommodate up to 15 caravans at any one time. The transit site can be used for stays of up to three months in a year.

The transit stopping place allows Cornwall Council to guide Gypsy and Traveller families away from unauthorised encampments, such as those seen in Liskeard car parks and Looe’s Millpool car park in recent years, and onto the purpose built site instead, providing access to basic amenities in a secure environment.

The Council has bid for £825,000 from Homes England to part fund the £1.75 million project which is due to be completed in Spring 2019. The remainder of the cost is being met by Cornwall Council.

Andrew Mitchell, Cornwall Council Cabinet portfolio holder for homes said: “Cornwall Council has a legal duty to provide these sites and our Local Plan has identified a need for 60 more transit pitches by 2030. We aim to provide these across four new transit sites of 10-15 pitches each across the whole of Cornwall.”

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council Cabinet portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: “It’s really important for us to provide more emergency stopping places and transit sites across Cornwall. Emergency stopping places and transit sites ensure that Gypsies and Travellers have access to basic amenities that our settled communities take for granted. These amenities make a huge difference to the health and quality of life of Gypsies and Travellers.”